Kellie Bright "felt really emotional" returning to the ‘EastEnders’ set.
The 43-year-old actress – who has played Linda Carter since 2013 – is back in Walford on Monday (22.06.20) as she joins co-star Danny Dyer (Mick Carter) for the first episode of spin-off show ‘Secrets From The Square’, and it was great being back "home".
She said: "When I drove back into Elstree I felt really emotional, more than I thought I was going to as since I’d last been there the world is such a changed place.
"And that feeling was quite immense. That place is like my home, so I felt comfortable coming back.
"I think the hardest thing was seeing people that I’m used to seeing every day and not being able to hug them."
Kellie and Danny are the first guests on the new behind the scenes programme – which is hosted by Stacey Dooley – giving viewers a taste of Albert Square while ‘EastEnders’ takes "an inevitable break due to filming being postponed" amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Although she admitted it was odd having to stick to the social distancing guidelines, the soap star was glad to have some time out of the house.
She added: "I came away from that day thinking that was a breath of fresh air after all these weeks and weeks of lockdown and not seeing anyone except my husband and children.
"To then be in a room full of people was lovely. It was like a little holiday."
Stacey will take over Ian Beale’s Walford East restaurant each week with two different cast members reflecting on their time on the show, teasing what’s to come, and there will be a sneak peak behind the scenes.
The ‘Strictly’ winner said: "I’m delighted to be hosting ‘Secrets From The Square’.
"I grew up watching ‘EastEnders’, so walking onto Albert Square was a surreal experience as well as taking a trip down memory lane and interviewing some of the legends of Walford has been great. I’ve loved every minute of it!"